What You Should Know About Rheumatoid Arthritis

Finding out you have rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can set you on a roller-coaster ride of emotions. You’ve probably felt everything from relief (“I finally know what’s wrong”) to anxiety (“Will I have to give up my job?”) to utter frustration (“My spouse/kids/boss just don’t understand”). And that’s in addition to the pain and mobility problems you have!

How to get a handle on it all? First, commit to partnering closely with your rheumatologist. Then focus your energy by reading the tips below, provided by Madelaine Feldman, MD, a New Orleans rheumatologist who’s been treating RA patients for nearly 25 years.

Demystify the disease. “When you’re first diagnosed with RA, it’s very important to become knowledgeable about it,” says Dr. Feldman. “But the information needs to come from reputable sources.” Besides your rheumatologist, two other good places to start are the National Institutes of Health (niams.nih.gov) and the American College of Rheumatology (rheumatology.org).

Realize that RA is systemic. That is, it can affect the whole body and cause problems other than joint pain, such as fever, extreme exhaustion and flu-like symptoms. The disease also leads to chronic inflammation throughout the body, which can affect the skin, eyes, lungs and heart. In fact, RA is a known risk factor for heart disease.

Start treatment as early as possible. “Getting the disease under control in that first six months to a year is important,” says Dr. Feldman. And it’s not just about controlling your symptoms. Early treatment with certain medications can help prevent further joint damage and put the disease in remission. That will help keep you as mobile and pain-free as possible. And don’t be afraid to aim high, stresses Dr. Feldman. “Expect the best from treatment, and ask your rheumatologist what the goals are.”

Pay attention toeveryday functioning. Pain relief is only part of the goal. Ask yourself this: Can you still perform everyday tasks like getting dressed and turning a doorknob? How about getting in and out of the car? If you have to avoid certain activities or constantly ask for help, let your doctor know.

Remember that your situation is unique. “Although your symptoms may be like a neighbor’s or friend’s symptoms, it’s not the same disease and won’t always respond to the same meds,” notes Dr. Feldman.

Know what to expect when starting a new med. Ask your doctor what the medication is supposed to treat and when you can expect to see results. Some meds can take up to three months before the full effects are seen. Also, find out which potential side effects require a call to your rheumatologist and which ones are expected to gradually go away.

All material provided on the Health Monitor website is provided for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical diagnosis, advice or treatment.Consult a physician regarding the applicability of any opinions or recommendations with respect to your symptoms or medical condition.

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